Re: Official: Sony RX1R III Digital Camera announced!
darrellc wrote:
I’m sure sales of the most innovative RX1v3 would be a fraction of other product lines, so why invest much.
Yep, I think this was their business thinking and it is probably sort of hard to argue with. Niche product lines are more likely to end up as "parts bin" cameras to be able to recoup the development costs. They actually did clearly spend a decent bit of R&D on this with the complete body redesign, people may underestimate just how much effort that actually is (and not appreciate the effort if they don't like the changes).
The problem, though, is such parsimonious thinking may result in alienating the niche you were trying to exploit. Naively I'd ask why the A7CR IBIS unit couldn't have been brought over, but my suspicion would be that the 35/2 lens design isn't compatible with it (e.g. maybe rear element of the lens too close). Going the OIS route would mean an entirely new lens design, so not desirable either.
Anyway, I wish them luck because I like seeing different things in the market.
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TheEmrys wrote:
5. The comparison to the Fuji GFX100rf is not siumple as they are very different cameras. Both extremely interesting, but very different. MF with a fixed aperture at 100mp, or FF with a to die for lens and small package.
"Fixed aperture" I'm guessing, like I often do, the wrong word ended up there. What were you meaning to say?
And I agree, in general the GFX100rf is totally different just based on size alone. But in fairness, people love to make price comparisons all the same.
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Maximilian wrote:
And a 13 years old lens.
I mean, I'm a Zeiss fan and the Sonnar 2,0/35mm is still a good lens, but not necessarily 61 megapixel good, much has happened in 13 years of optical development. The Distagon 2,0/35mm of the highly maligned Zeiss ZX1 is a far superior lens in every objektive respect, on par with the Leica Apo-Summicron M 2,0/35mm.
As mentioned above, I'd suspect that the R&D costs on a new lens just weren't seen as recoverable. From a marketing standpoint if they are clever they can leverage the old love for the Sonnar at zero cost. Heck, even some of the sites announcing today are highlighting that they didn't change the lens is a benefit!
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Anywho, I played with a used original RX1 (and the EVF attachment) way back in the day (like 2016 I think). What a fun little camera! But the lack of some form of IS was painful - even at 24MP. At 61MP it seems slightly insane. I have the GRIIIx as my "everyday carry but never actually use" camera these days and even its antique IBIS is very useful to have.
Honestly, my thoughts are probably pretty useless because having used and sold that RX1 I just don't think I'm the target market for this series. My GRIIIx is essentially an "aspirational camera" that I hope inspires me to take more photos, but largely it spends months in the center console of my car untouched.
Well, I hope it tickles some folks fancy and they end up enjoying it whatever us naysayers post about!
Jul 15, 2025 at 01:45 PM
Previous versions of kwalsh's message #16852032 « Official: Sony RX1R III Digital Camera announced! »
I'm guessing, like I often do, the wrong word ended up there. What were you meaning to say?